On 26 and 27 September 2026, Rebecca Green, Operations Director at Insight Financial Associates, and Matt Ingram, Independent Financial Adviser, represented Team Insight in the Thrive Autism, Race Across Norfolk 2026.
From early-morning sprints through Norwich to sandcastles in Cromer and an unexpected lift from a helpful Norfolk local, Rebecca Green and Matt Ingram took on a weekend quite unlike any other, all in support of an important local cause.
Inspired by the spirit of Race Across the World, the two-day charity challenge saw 12 teams travel across Norfolk, tackling a series of checkpoints and tasks with limited funds and without the convenience of the internet.
Organised by Norwich Blackfriars Rotary Club in support of Thrive Autism, the event was designed to raise vital funds to support neurodivergent children, young people and families in the local community.
And, as Rebecca Green and Matt Ingram quickly discovered, getting from A to B was only part of the challenge.
Day one: Norwich to the North Norfolk coast and back again
The adventure began bright and early at The Forum in Norwich at 6am, where teams received their race packs, including a phone, tracker, public transport information and just £50 to help cover transport costs throughout the weekend.
The first destination was revealed and the race was on.
Team Insight began with a sprint to Norwich Cathedral, where they completed an anagram challenge before heading to Cinema City for their next clue.
It was here they discovered that their next destination was considerably further away: Sheringham on the North Norfolk coast.
With just nine minutes to reach Norwich railway station, Rebecca Green and Matt Ingram raced across the city and managed to make the train. They were among only six teams to catch it, giving them an early advantage.
Arriving in Sheringham, the next checkpoint was Sheringham RNLI Lifeboat Station. A conversation with a friendly local led to a helpful shortcut, before Team Insight completed their challenge and continued along the Norfolk coast to Cromer.
Here, the task was a little different. The pair had to build sandcastles on Cromer beach near the iconic pier before setting off for the market town of North Walsham, 9 miles away.
When Norfolk community spirit came to the rescue
After completing another challenge in North Walsham, Team Insight discovered their next destination was Neatishead RAF Air Defence Radar Museum, 7 miles away. There was just one problem: getting there!
With the radar museum remotely tucked away from the main bus and rail connections, several teams opted for taxis. But with the available taxis quickly disappearing, Rebecca Green and Matt Ingram had to think differently.
In true Race Across the World style, help came from an unexpected source.
After getting into conversation with another local and explaining the challenge, they discovered he was travelling towards Wroxham and could give them a lift as Neatishead was on his way. It was a brilliant example of the friendly Norfolk community spirit that Team Insight encountered throughout the weekend.
Once at Neatishead, they completed their museum-based challenge in record time before walking to catch a bus towards Wroxham, and then travelling on to Sprowston.
Day one ended at Sprowston Manor, with one final challenge: getting a hole in one on the putting green. Rebecca Green stepped up and delivered.
With the challenge complete, there was finally an opportunity to put their feet up and get a good night’s sleep at Sprowston Manor, before doing it all again the following morning.
Day two: teamwork, vineyards and one final push to Norwich
Teams began the second day at staggered five-minute intervals based on their finishing positions from day one.
Team Insight’s first destination was Whitlingham Broad, just outside Norwich. This time some smart teamwork helped them on their way, as they joined forces with another team to share a taxi, helping to conserve some of their remaining travel budget.
On arrival, they discovered their first challenge was to complete an entire lap of the Broad, adding rather more walking and running to the weekend than either had anticipated.
With the lap complete, it was time to head deeper into the Norfolk countryside and make their way to Chet Valley Vineyard, 10 miles away. After a dash to catch the bus, they arrived at the vineyard, met the owner and took on their next challenge: harvesting grapes.
There was then just one thing left to do: make it back to the finish at The Oaklands Hotel in Norwich.
With the other teams ahead, the decision was made to use some of the remaining budget for a taxi and make one final push for the finish line.
Once every team had returned, it was time for the final results … a second-place finish for Team Insight, much to their surprise. Not bad for two days of trains, buses, taxis, running, walking, grape harvesting, putting, sandcastle building and some creative Norfolk navigation.
But for Rebecca Green and Matt Ingram, the final position wasn’t what mattered most.
Rebecca Green said: “The Race Across Norfolk event from Thrive was so much fun. We laughed, made friends and, most importantly, raised awareness and vital funds to support the important work Thrive does to support neurodivergent children, young people and families across our community.”
Supporting our Norfolk community
At Insight Financial Associates, being part of our local community means much more to us than simply having our head office in Norwich.
Whether we’re supporting local charities, volunteering, taking part in community events or simply lending our time to a good cause, we’re proud to play our part across Norwich and Norfolk.
Thrive Autism’s work is focused not only on children and young people with autism, but also on supporting families and caregivers, including creating opportunities for connection, guidance and respite.
A huge well done to Rebecca Green and Matt Ingram, all the teams who took part, Norwich Blackfriars Rotary Club for organising the challenge, and everyone involved in supporting Thrive Autism.
And, of course, thank you to the helpful people they met across Norfolk along the way. Team Insight’s second-place finish might have looked rather different without you.